D&C 49:5-28

49:5-10 - The Lord continues by giving a little bit of background on Himself, saying, “for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world, and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not shall be damned- And they have done unto the Son of Man even as they listed; and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descend on the earth to put all enemies under his feet, which time is nigh at hand- I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes.” The IM comments “The Shakers did not believe Christ to be divine and therefore were not looking forward to His Second Coming. What they were looking for was the return of the ‘Christ spirit,’ a spirit that would infuse their leader and make him or her spiritual and not carnal. They believed four persons had been given this spirit in its fullness: Adam, Abraham, Christ, and Ann Lee.” This is all very interesting, and for me, hard to follow doctrine, they don’t focus on Christ much at all, but believe that their leader Ann Lee is Christ in a different form, who has already come again, but that there will be another pouring out of the spirit of Christ who they think is already among them, it’s hard to follow for me. Verse 8 is interesting, the Lord comments on the Shakers disbelief in baptism saying, “Wherefore, I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except those which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of.” When I first heard this, I thought of children who die before the age of accountability, but the IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching that these men referred to “who were without sin, and reserved unto the Lord, are translated persons such as John the Revelator and the Three Nephites, who do not belong to this generation and yet are in the flesh in the earth performing a special ministry until the coming of Jesus Christ.” I had to think what this meant that these men were without sin because Jesus is the only one perfect being, but I think what it means is that they are now without sin, not that they haven’t ever sinned in their lives. Perhaps it’s because they have been purified through the atonement that they are now without sin, and that they are able to operate on that level spiritually. I’d like to think that this is the plan for all of us, to be perfected through the atonement and eventually become without sin. The IM asks the question “Did the appointed missionaries fulfill the Lord’s command to go among the Shakers?” And answers saying, “John Whitmer wrote that Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley ‘went and proclaimed (the Gospel) according to the revelation given them, but the Shakers hearkened not to their words and received not the Gospel at that time, for they are bound in tradition and priestcraft; and thus they are led away with foolish and vain imaginations.’ Sidney Rigdon had lived in close proximity to the Shakers at North Union for many years and had become will acquainted with their leaders and their doctrine. Parley P. Pratt had many relatives who were Shakers. He had also been one of the first missionaries to approach the group at North Union. The three missionaries arrived at North Union on a Saturday evening and were allowed to give to the group a long discussion of the gospel. They spent the night, and the next morning they spoke in the regular Sunday meeting. Sidney Rigdon read the revelation to them as a part of his comments, and it was instantly rejected by the leader of the group, Ashbel Kitchell. The rest of the group agreed with Kitchell, and the missionaries withdrew.”

49:11-17 - The Lord commands them to go to the Shakers and to tell them, “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end; Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins; And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.” The IM teaches, “The Lord commanded the missionaries to teach the Shakers the importance of faith in the Lord, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. According to 2 Nephi 31:17, the gift of the Holy Ghost is received only after one has entered the gate of repentance and baptism. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated: ‘We believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost being enjoyed now, as much as it was in the Apostles’ days; we believe that it is necessary to make and to organize the Priesthood, that no man can be called to fill any office in the ministry without it; we also believe in prophecy, in  tongues, in visions, and in revelations, in gifts, and in healings; and that these things cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ Peter taught the same doctrine on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:37-38).” This goes back to why baptism and the Holy Ghost is important, why it’s critical to spiritual growth and a personal relationship with the Savior. The Lord continues onto the subject of marriage and children saying, “and again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation.” The concept of marriage is difficult for me to understand because I’ve never really seen what a fulfilling relationship is all about. After I got divorced I didn’t think that marriage was worth all the drama, and I still struggle with the idea that I need to try to get remarried, because it can be amazing and because that’s what God wants me to do, like he says here, being alone and purposefully remaining unmarried is not appropriate. The IM quotes President Spencer W. Kimball as teaching, “In magazines we frequently see articles on this antimarriage revolution… Let me say again, marriage is honorable. It’s a plan of God. It is not a whim, a choice, a preference only; it’s a must.” The IM continues quoting President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, “This statement in relation hip marriage was given to correct the false doctrine of the Shakers that marriage was impure and that a true follower of Jesus Christ must remain in the condition of celibacy to be free from sin and in full fellowship with Christ.” I know that it is in the family unit that we are taught and perfected as we serve and love each other, I know that it’s not good for someone to be alone, but I need to work more on the idea that marriage can be amazing and worth it, because sometimes it alludes me. The IM asks “What is the principal ‘end’ or reason for the earth’s creation?” And answers, “The Lord created the earth as a habitation for His spirit children during their mortal probation. Marriage and bringing forth children is critical in bringing about the Lord’s purposes. According to President Joseph Fielding Smith: ‘The people who inhabit this earth were all living in the spirit life before they came to this earth. The Lord informs us that this earth was designed, before its foundations were formed, for the abode of the spirits who kept their first estate, and all such must come here and receive their tabernacles of flesh and bones, and this is according to the number, or measure, of man according to his duty of mankind, in lawful and holy wedlock, to multiply according to the commandments given to Adam and Eve and later to Noah, until every spirit appointed to receive a body in this world has had that privilege. Those who teach celibacy and look upon marriage as sinful are in opposition to the word and commandment of the lord. Such a doctrine is from an evil source and is intended to defeat the plan of redemption and the bringing into the world the spirits who kept their first estate. Satan, in every way that he can and with all his power, endeavors to defeat the work of the Lord. It is his purpose to destroy the souls of men and if he can prevent them from having bodies by teaching men and women that marriage is unrighteous and sinful, or that they should not after they are married bring children in to the world, he thinks he will accomplish his purpose. All who hearken to these evil whisperings and practice this evil will stand condemned before the throne of God.”

49:18-21 - Here is a very interesting concept that I’ve been dealing with recently. The Lord says, “And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God. For behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance. But is it not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin. And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or wasteth flesh and hath no need.” Ok, let me just preface this with the statement that I’m transitioning to a vegan diet, which means that I’m working to eliminate all animal products from my diet, no meats, no dairy, etc. There are many reasons that I’m doing this, first because I’m a person of extremes, if 1 cookie is good then 10 cookies are better, and if I can’t always eat 10 cookies then I can’t even let myself eat 1 cookie because I’ll get to 10 really fast. I believe that for me personally I need the structure of a vegan diet in order to help myself become healthy, that’s what works for me, very strict rules, and that’s the case for me, not only in food, but in everything else. How much alcohol can I drink? Absolutely none. If I’m allowed one drink it quickly turns into 100 drinks. How much sex outside of marriage can I have? Absolutely none. If I’m allowed just one partner outside of marriage then it will quickly turn into 100 partners. How many R-rated movies can I watch? Absolutely none. If I’m allowed to only watch those that are historically significant then it will quickly turn into 100 “historically significant” movies. See my point? Another reason why I’m going to a vegan diet is because I’ve read much on the subject of animal products in our diets and I believe that keeping mine to a minimum is important for the overall health and function of my body. And lastly, there’s the ethical factor, which is addressed here in this section. I don’t think that eating meat is inherently wrong, like the Lord says, animals are here for our use, for our subsistence, but the way that animals are turned into food on the industrial scale  that happens today is absolutely horrific. It’s not the days of raising a cow on the farm, letting it graze freely then killing it and using every part of it for our benefit anymore, it’s like the Lord says shedding blood and wasting flesh with no need. I know that the attitude of many in Church culture is that vegetarianism is wrong, but I found that it is a personal matter that requires prayer and contemplation to learn what the Lord would have you do personally. We know that it is ok to eat meat, but is it also ok to not eat meat if we so choose? I believe that the shedding of blood and wasting of flesh without regard to life or need which the Lord talks about, is definitely what is going on in our world today in the food industry, but that doesn’t mean that using animals is wrong, but I prefer to find sources of animal products for my family that is closer to the natural setting that the Lord talks about here. DJR says “the Brethren have provided D&C 49, footnote 18a, making sure modern members of the Church realize that the Lord does not endorse abstinence from meat as a teaching of the true Church.” The Church’s policy for the membership as a whole is not vegetarianism as a blanket policy, but a healthy lifestyle and it’s left up to the individual members to decide what that means for them, and for me it just happens to be veganism. The IM says, “In these verses the Lord instructed the Shakers that he had ordained certain things for the use of man and included a caution on verse 21. President Spencer W. Kimball said: ‘Now, I also would like to add some of my feelings concerning the unnecessary shedding of blood and destruction of life. I think that every soul should be impressed by the sentiments that have been expressed here by the prophets… President Joseph Fielding Smith said,… ‘I do not believe nay man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food, and then he should not kill innocent little birds that are not intended for food for man. I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seem to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood.’” I believe that it is the prerogative of every person to take these concepts to the Lord and ask what is right for them personally, and I think that most people’s answers are going to be different from others and that’s ok, in many things the Lord is explicit and repetitive, and in others he leaves it more ambiguous so that we can draw closer to him as we seek his guidance to know what is right for us personally and as a family, for those over whom we have stewardship.

49:22-28 - The Lord now covers the belief that Ann Lee was Christ, but He clears that up saying, “The Son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth.” DJR comments, “The Master addresses the false teaching of Ann Lee that Jesus will come in the form of a woman and also explains that the Second Coming will not be low key, by way of a traveling man who announces himself as the Savior. In other words, the Second Coming will be just as spectacular and all-encompassing as foretold in prophecy.” The IM teaches, “The concluding verses of this section focus on the erroneous beliefs held by the Shakers about the Second Coming of Christ. Verse 22 refutes the Shaker view that the ‘Christ spirit’ was embodied in Ann Lee, and verses 23-25 explain some events that must precede the Lord’s future appearance. The scriptures are clear that Christ will return in great glory to His temple.” I think it would be easy to take this verse as a knock to women, but that would be a mistake. Here the Lord is telling us that he will not return at the second coming as a woman because he is a man, and I feel like he gives an overlying emphasis that gender is eternal and not interchangeable, a pretty good way of making that point I think. Finally the Lord ends this revelation by giving some of what we can expect before the second coming such as earthquakes, natural disasters, “the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose,” Zion will be established and thrive. The Lord invites the three missionaries to repent and seek him out “ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” He promises “Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded.” That’s pretty all inclusive, in front, behind, and surrounded by his presence. The IM asks “what is prophetic about these verses?” and answers, “Two prophecies were given in this revelation so that the Shakers could know what would occur on this continent before the Lord’s Second Coming. These two prophecies bear witness of the prophetic keys held by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The first prophecy states that ‘Jacob (meaning modern Israel) shall flourish in the wilderness, and … Zion shall flourish upon the hills.’ This prophecy was at least partially fulfilled when the Saints were compelled to leave Nauvoo, Illinois, and settle in the Rocky Mountains. The second prophecy is that ‘the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.’ Today those of Lamanite descent are joining the Church in ever increasing numbers and are blossoming under the gospel light.”